Inside People - A yearning for learning propels Campbell

Along with reading and crafting, Campbell is an avid alligator wrestler. (Courtesy Photo)

Dia Campbell had never been to Estes Park, but the contents of a job opening at the Estes Valley Library drew her in and she has embraced her role as the program and outreach librarian.

Campbell's position, which she started in May, allows her to teach, learn and listen to what the community wants. It combines her affection for libraries, crafty nature and desire to continue learning.

"I have been a very passionate library patron," Campbell said. "This opening came up and I don't think there was a more flawless fit."

Having a background in technology and crafting has helped Campbell fit right into her role, where she teaches classes and workshops and develops the programming offered at the Estes Valley Library.

Dia Campbell is the program and outreach librarian at the Estes Valley Library. (Courtesy Photo)

"We look for what people in the community want to learn, beyond the physical collection, beyond the books," Campbell said. "The library at its heart is about sharing information."

Campbell handles the technology literacy programing, and teaches a variety of classes.

"Last week we did 3D printed jewelry, that was just a really fun, very hands on, very crafty, out-of-the-box activity," Campbell said.

Along with classes, Campbell said she encourages library patrons to utilize the book-a-librarian feature at the Estes Valley Library.

"The most exciting thing for me is the book-a-librarian appointments," Campbell said. "It is the most fulfilling part of my job."

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Through these appointments, Campbell said she can help with everything from genealogy projects to understanding how a smartphone works. Whether it is help with a specific project or a a new topic someone wants to learn, Campbell said it is helpful when patrons tell the library what they are interested in so the library can help them and even develop programming.

"Estes is a town that is really passionate about learning and it shows," Campbell said.

Campbell commutes from Denver and takes the drivetime to listen to audiobooks. She worked in a wearable tech company before and it was a former coworker, Allison Cavis, who also now works at the Estes Valley Library, posted the job opening on Facebook that grabbed Campbell's attention and lead to her joining the library.

"It has been really exciting to get to work with Allison again," Campbell said.

It is a background in technology and lifelong love of crafting that helps Campbell with her classes and fuels some of her hobbies. She enjoys video games and spending time with her and her roommates dogs. In fact, it is the dog friendly nature of Colorado that is a big plus for Campbell. She moved a decade ago from the southeast and is thankful for the opportunities it has provided and the like-minded people she has met.

For Campbell, her love of animals extends past dogs. She is an experienced alligator wrestler.

"I really go out of my way to seek out strange interactions with creatures that I would not ordinarily be able to touch or pet or ride or wrestle," Campbell said.

She has wrestled alligators around a dozen times. It is the excitement that comes from the unsanitized, uncontrolled situation that brings her back.

"It is exciting to know that the situation is unpredictable," Campbell said.

Even an alligator bite on the leg has not deterred her.

"I was wrestling the alligator and it wanted me to stop and it communicated that clearly," Campbell said.

Campbell has other, less prone to alligator bite, hobbies. She makes pool functional mermaid tails. It is a blend of her crafty side and something she enjoys working with others and teaching others how to do.

But her greatest joy comes from the people at the Estes Valley Library. Campbell said she enjoys coming to work and being around the staff at the library.

While an alligator wrestling class may not be in the plans for the library quite yet, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and Campbell and the library staff is always ready to help.

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